As Good as It Gets (1997)
Kernel Score: 85% · 4,049 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: 1997-12-19
Runtime: 139 minutes
Is As Good as It Gets worth watching?
Worth watching. A cranky, cruel novelist is slowly pulled into the lives of a waitress and a neighbour. Nicholson and Hunt are very good, and the film is funny and warm if a little neat at the end.
Watch it if you
- like adult romantic comedies with sharp dialogue
- enjoy grumpy characters who soften
- want strong lead performances
Skip it if you
- dislike rude, bigoted-sounding humour from the lead
- want a gritty romance
Best for: Cosy date night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch As Good as It Gets
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A misanthropic author, a single mother and waitress, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.
As Good as It Gets parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that As Good as It Gets is a PG-13 comedy-drama about an unlikely friendship between a misanthropic, bigoted author, a waitress, and a gay artist.
- Language: Some — The lead character is noted as rude and makes racist and biased remarks reflecting his misanthropy.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like As Good as It Gets
If you liked As Good as It Gets, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Terms of Endearment (1983) — 79%: Funny and moving family drama with a prickly neighbour
- The Apartment (1960) — 91%: Bittersweet romantic comedy for grown-ups
- Toc Toc (2017) — 79%: Comedy built around people's obsessive habits
- Love, Simon (2018) — 89%: Warm, funny story of an awkward person finding connection
- Forrest Gump (1994) — 97%: Gentle, sweet story of an unlikely love
Director
Cast
- Jack Nicholson as Melvin Udall
- Helen Hunt as Carol Connelly
- Greg Kinnear as Simon Bishop
- Cuba Gooding Jr. as Frank Sachs
- Shirley Knight as Beverly Connelly
- Jesse James as Spencer Connelly
- Yeardley Smith as Jackie Simpson
- Lupe Ontiveros as Nora Manning
- Skeet Ulrich as Vincent Lopiano
- Harold Ramis as Dr. Bettes
As Good as It Gets FAQ
Is As Good as It Gets worth watching?
Worth watching. A cranky, cruel novelist is slowly pulled into the lives of a waitress and a neighbour. Nicholson and Hunt are very good, and the film is funny and warm if a little neat at the end.
Where can I watch As Good as It Gets?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is As Good as It Gets OK for kids?
As Good as It Gets is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that As Good as It Gets is a PG-13 comedy-drama about an unlikely friendship between a misanthropic, bigoted author, a waitress, and a gay artist.
What movies are like As Good as It Gets?
If you liked As Good as It Gets, try Terms of Endearment, The Apartment, Toc Toc and Love, Simon.